AN argument over inappropriate texts between a man and his business partner ended in domestic assault.

Michael Antony Milner was sentenced at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday, after pleading guilty to assault by beating. The 48-year-old, of Field Broughton, attacked his then-girlfriend, Sarah Armstrong, on April 19 at their Flookburgh home.

The court heard the couple were in a relationship for around four or five years before problems began to develop early this year. The victim had checked the defendant’s phone and found texts she considered inappropriate.

Later that morning, Milner discovered Miss Armstrong had sent some messages back from his mobile. He is then said to have “stormed into the bedroom shouting”.

Mr Kelly said: “The victim was grabbed by the ear and her hair and pushed against a wall. The argument has then carried on in the kitchen. He grabbed her with both hands, one on her chest, one on her collar around her neck.

“She has then run and locked herself in a different part of the property until the police arrived.”

In interview, Milner said the recipient of the texts had been his business partner, and the victim had misjudged the nature of their relationship. His partner had been so upset by the message she received, she had contacted him to say she was resigning, the court heard. An argument then broke out, with the victim screaming and shouting.

In a previous hearing, Milner had disputed the facts of what happened, although he admitted grabbing the front of his ex-girlfriend’s tracksuit in a bid to resolve the situation. The magistrates had, however, accepted the details of the prosecution case.

Mr Craig Bartram, defending, told the court the victim suffered no injuries and there had never been any other domestic violence.

He said: “It was, effectively, a lack of control which has caused the offence to take place. This is a one-off.”

Milner was given a two-year restraining order and a 12-month community order for 125 hours’ unpaid work. He will contribute £350 towards court costs and pay an £85 victim surcharge plus £100 compensation to Miss Armstrong.

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